Low on confidence Novak Djokovic vows to ‘knuckle down’
Novak Djokovic admits “right now my confidence is not at the highest level”, but he is determined to come back stronger.
The 12-time Grand Slam winner missed the backend of the 2017 season as he recovered from an elbow injury and then made his comeback at the Australian Open, reaching the last 16.
He underwent a small medical procedure on the troublesome elbow after the Melbourne Grand Slam and then returned to action at the Indian Wells Masters, but his form has been poor since then as he has suffered a string of early exits.
The 30-year-old admits his confidence has taken a blow.
“I have always believed in myself and that’s why I was able to make all my childhood dreams come true, but right now my confidence is not at the highest level,” the Serb said.
“The recent results have not been what we are used to but coming back is a process and all I can do now is knuckle down to some hard work.
“I have had some similar situations in the past but not one quite as challenging as this, so I have to accept it as part of a learning process.”
Djokovic returned to action less than two months after undergoing surgery in January and he admits it was the wrong decision.
“That was my decision because I missed playing tennis so much but I was not ready and it backfired,” he said.
“After everything I have been through in the past year or so, I have had to lower my expectations but my motivation and my ambitions remain unchanged.
“After this year’s Australian Open I wasn’t sure whether I’d have elbow surgery or not. I was reluctant but then I realised it was the best long-term solution.”
On the back of his woes, Djokovic also opted to split from Andre Agassi and Radek Stepanek and he reunited with Marian Vajda, who will stay in his camp until the French Open.
“We have made plans until the end of the clay season – three more tournaments ending with Roland Garros,” he added.
“After that we will sit down again and make further plans.”
Latest
-
OlympicsAlexander Zverev euphoric after claiming Olympic gold, saying, ‘this is an incredible feeling’
“There is nothing better than this,” says Alexander Zverev.
-
OlympicsAlexander Zverev brushes aside Karen Khachanov to secure historic gold for Germany in men’s tennis at Olympics
Gold for Alexander Zverev at Tokyo Olympics.
-
ATP Tour‘I am shaking all over my body,’ says Casper Ruud after completing unique hat-trick with Kitzbuhel title
It’s a hat-trick of titles for Casper Ruud.
-
Olympics‘It’s the freaking Olympic Games’ – Belinda Bencic not sure whether to laugh or cry after winning gold
Belinda Bencic in dreamland after winning gold at the Tokyo Olympics.
-
Kevin PalmerComment: Novak Djokovic under fire after controversial final stand at Tokyo Olympics
Novak Djokovic walked away from the Tokyo Olympics without even a bronze medal to soothe his wounded pride.
-
OlympicsOlympic glory for Belinda Bencic as she holds off Marketa Vondrousova in Tokyo gold medal match
Belinda Bencic is the Tokyo Olympics singles champion.
-
OlympicsWATCH: Novak Djokovic hurls racket into stands and admits ‘it’s not nice but it’s part of who I am’
“It was an emotional outburst and it happens,” said Novak Djokovic.
-
OlympicsNovak Djokovic rues missed chances at Tokyo Olympics, but vows to ‘try to to keep going’ for Paris Games
“I didn’t deliver yesterday and today, the level of tennis dropped,” admits Novak Djokovic.
-
OlympicsPablo Carreno Busta wins Tokyo Olympics bronze as he denies Novak Djokovic a medal in the singles
Pablo Carreno Busta is your bronze medallist at the Tokyo Olympics.
-
ATP TourWashington Open draw: Rafael Nadal, Cameron Norrie, Nick Kyrgios in same half as young stars headline bottom half
This way for your 2021 Washington Open draw.